ILWU Local 10 Members Face Hanging Nooses At Port Of Oakland And Tesla Injuries Escalate

by KPFA WorkWeek Radio
Thursday Jun 1st, 2017 9:36 PM

KPFA Pacifica WorkWeek radio examines the growing incidents of hanging nooses and racist graffiti at SSA at the Port Of Oakland. The show also examines the serious injuries that are taking place at the Fremont Tesla auto plant. WorkSafe issued a report on the escalating injuries and health and safety problems.

WW 5-30-17 ILWU Local 10 Members Face Nooses At Port Of Oakland And Tesla Injuries

WorkWeek looks at the hanging noose incidents and swastikas at the Port of Oakland against ILWU Local 10 longshore workers 85% of whom are African American. WorkWeek interviews ILWU Local 10 members Sean Graham and Stacie Rodgers. ILWU longshore workers protested by walking out at SSA on May 25, 2017. They discuss the history of these incidents and the need to have direct labor action to stop these attacks. There has been an epidemic of hanging nooses nationally and in the bay area.

Next WorkWeek looks at the growing number of serious injuries at the Tesla plant at Fremont California. We interview Doug Parker, Executive Director of WorkSafe. Workers went to WorkSafe through the UAW which is seeking to organize the workers.

WorkSafe presented a study showing that there has been large increase in injuries and these were significantly higher than other auto plants.

More than 10,000 workers now are employed at the Fremont Tesla plant and a growing number are facing serious injuries which the company is trying to cover up. They also plan a major expansion of more with the introduction of a new model.